When it comes to skincare, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“Do I need a face oil? Isn’t my moisturiser enough?”
The short answer is: they do different jobs, and depending on your skin, you might benefit from both! I have tried 'oil only' for my routine and it doesn’t work for me at all, I need the combination of both oil and moisturiser especially as I get older, my skin loves them both and it shows.
How moisturisers work:
Moisturisers are a combination of water and oil, designed to hydrate the skin and create a protective layer to stop water loss. They’re great for daily hydration, especially if your skin feels tight or dry.
How face oils work:
Face oils, on the other hand, are only oil-based. They help nourish the skin, support the skin barrier, and lock in hydration. Oils can also help smooth the surface of the skin and add that healthy-looking glow.
Where do you fit, do you need both?
It depends on your skin type and the season. Some people find that a good face oil (or a good moisturiser) is enough, while others like to use both.
Teens and those with naturally oily skin can very likely get away with a moisturiser only.
Perimenopausal women for example, who have found themselves in the complicated scenario of dry/oily/breakouts can definitely benefit from a combination of both, yet using a light, balancing moisturiser would be perfect for this conundrum.
Those with normal/dry/ageing skin would lovingly soak up a combination of both oil and moisturiser.
Which order you apply them will depend on the consistency of each. My healthy glow face oil is super light and soaks right in – so you can apply a light layer and top it off with your moisturiser. If, however, you want to do a thicker night treatment – you can apply your moisturiser and then a heavier layer of oil to lock it all in and nourish your face overnight.
If, however, you have a thicker face oil in your routine, it’s likely better to be applied on top of your moisturiser. Let the moisturiser sink in and then apply the thicker oil.
If you’re looking to simplify, you might find that one high-quality oil does the work of multiple products. My face oil is light enough that it can also double as a brilliant daily eye treatment. For skin that needs a little extra support, layering a moisturiser and oil together can give you that comforted, hydrated feeling.
You won’t know until you try! Experiment using just an oil for a week, then try layering it with your moisturiser and see how your skin responds and let me know! Happy to help if you have any questions.